Latest news with #RickyBell
Glasgow Times
27-04-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow groups to benefit from holiday hunger programme
A report was presented on Thursday morning to members of the city administration committee (CAC), who agreed to fund 59 out of the 79 applications for the scheme. During the CAC, it was confirmed that 48 of these groups have been successful in their funding bid in the past, while 11 others were new. Glasgow's Holiday Programme provides funding to organisations to deliver a programme of engagement, activities and nutritious food to Glasgow's nursery, primary and secondary pupils up to 18 years old during school holiday periods. The project aims to complement existing activities by third sector organisations, with the majority of allocated funding going towards food costs. Councillors asked what engagement would be carried out to ensure that those unsuccessful organisations would still be supported, as well as reassurance that healthy food was available. Councillor Bill Butler said: 'What evaluation is undertaken to ensure that providers have delivered on outcomes and what support is being provided to the 20 organisations that were unsuccessful this year?' Councillor Ricky Bell, depute leader of Glasgow City Council, said: 'Officers do site visits to some of the projects and I have been on a few of them with officers myself and it is a really uplifting experience to see the difference that makes to many of the young people in the city. READ MORE: Preparations in place as George Square to close until 2026 'In terms of the unsuccessful organisations, we always go back to them and talk to them about why they weren't successful and where the challenges were in terms of some of the reports they have given. 'We have to accept that often, these organisations are people who have submitted perfectly good applications, it is just that when you get so far down the list you run out of money and obviously we would love to be in a position where we could fund all of these organisations but the money is limited. 'It's about looking at the 10 wards that have the highest levels of poverty and making sure we are supporting as many organisations in those wards.' Councillor Soryia Siddique asked what steps were being taken to ensure healthy meals were offered during the holiday season. Councillor Siddique said: 'I would like to ask about the type of foods that are available. There is a correlation between healthy food, concentration, mood and attainment. 'To what extent is that a condition of the grant and how it is monitored.' Councillor Bell informed members that they tried to ensure healthy eating as much as they could. He said: 'It is a fickle balance to get right because a lot of the young people don't desperately want to have healthy food. READ MORE: 'Cancel it forever': Residents divided after popular fireworks display axed 'We try and make that as available as we can but we do allow some flexibility to have a bit of treats if you want to call it that. 'Where it is relevant, we also try to have culturally sensitive food as that is obviously a big part of some parts of the city. There has to be a strong element of healthy food and we do monitor that.' Following the meeting the depute leader and treasurer, Glasgow City Council said he was delighted to have joined forces with third sector organisations. Councillor Bell said: 'Once again, our families across the city will benefit from more than £2 million investment in Glasgow's Holiday Programme over the next three school holiday periods during summer, October, and spring. 'I am delighted that we have joined forces with third sector organisations to deliver activities and nutritious food and snacks to children aged 0 – 18 years in every council ward. 'Last summer, more than 21,000 children and young people benefited, and we have used data to boost the offer in 10 wards where the need is greatest. 'In the last seven years, almost 3.5 million meals, snacks and food parcels have been served by working in partnership with organisations, and I am delighted that we have funded an additional 11 partners. 'Our holiday programme is a lifeline to many of our families and I am heartened that we are able to deliver this offer again to support our families.' Details of all successful organisations can be found on the council website at
Glasgow Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Plan on booking a hotel in Glasgow? This is the tax everyone will pay
The plan is to charge 5% on top of all overnight accommodation in the city. An association for self-catering owners has urged people to respond and let the council know what they think of the plan. READ NEXT:Mum of three told there is no way out of overcrowded Glasgow flat The Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers has said it will affect people in Glasgow and Scotland as well as visitors to the country. It said people are also being charged more, claiming it is a 'tax on a tax' for people resident in Scotland. The consultation began in February and will continue until May 2, next Friday, before it is closed to submissions. The association, which is against a levy, said it will affect people booking an overnight stay after a gig at the Hydro, a theatre show in the city centre or visiting relatives in hospital. Fiona Campbell, CEO of the ASSC, said: 'This is a pivotal moment and we urge all those with a stake in Scottish tourism, especially our important self-catering community, to respond to Glasgow's consultation without delay. 'Whether you are a local business, a Scottish resident who holidays in your own country, or someone who works away from home and relies on short-term accommodation – your voice matters. 'Tourism is not just for tourists, it's for families, workers, and communities. The outcomes of this will shape how, and whether, tourism can continue to grow and thrive in Glasgow.' READ NEXT:Demand for urgent women only homeless accommodation in Glasgow The association said there are key differences between the Glasgow levy and those in other European cities. She added: 'First, it is a tax on a tax: the 5% Glasgow levy itself would be subject to 20% VAT, something unheard of in Europe. 'Other destinations have a reduced rate of VAT on tourism services, where Scotland does not." She said there needs to be transparency on who will be paying She added: 'This is not an 'international' levy paid only by foreign tourists with exemptions for residents, but one applicable to ordinary Scots staying overnight in Glasgow who have already made a financial contribution to local services. 'It will be a tax on those with overnight stays taking in a concert at the Hydro; it will be a tax on those staying in accommodation while visiting a relative in hospital; and it will be a tax on hardworking families on a staycation.' The cash raised is expected to be around £12m a year, based on 2,920,000 room nights a year at an average of £85 a night. When the consultation was announced, Ricky Bell, City Treasurer, said the levy would ensure that visitors contribute to the city alongside residents. He said: 'We think there is a strong case for a visitor levy - which means people who enjoy what our city has to offer, but who do not pay local taxes, are asked to contribute alongside citizens. 'Many Glaswegians will already be familiar with this sort of charge, which is very common abroad.'
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Glasgow agrees 7.5% council tax hike deal
Scotland's largest council has announced a deal for an inflation-busting 7.5% rise in council tax for the coming year with a promise to invest more in frontline services. SNP and Green councillors in Glasgow agreed the proposed rise as local authorities across the country are set to confirm the biggest council tax increases in 20 years. With a nationwide freeze coming to an end, Edinburgh, Fife, Scottish Borders and North Lanarkshire councils are also setting their new rates. It is expected there will be a 10% hike in the Borders, with about 8% expected in Edinburgh. A 10% increase has also been mooted in North Lanarkshire, with an 8% hike proposed in Fife. The councils will agree increases - all of which are expected to be well above the latest rate of inflation of 3% - at meetings across the day. It comes after East Lothian became the first council to announce a double-digit increase. East Lothian first to confirm 10% council tax hike Scottish Borders plans 10% council tax increase Glasgow City Council had earlier warned it was facing a funding gap of £7.9m before council tax increases are factored in. The ruling SNP group and Green councillors have now agreed to propose a 7.5% rise to the full council with £6.75m ring-fenced for 200 extra street cleaning staff as well as maintenance of roads, pavements and parks. Glasgow City Treasurer Ricky Bell said the rise, combined with this year's settlement from the Scottish government, meant "we finally have some cash to invest" in frontline services "after years of austerity". "We'll deploy those staff where they can have the most impact, including dedicated Neighbourhood Clean Teams who will be able to respond promptly to issues within communities," he said. Council tax rates have been frozen or capped for much of the past 20 years. In the current financial year, the government subsidised a nationwide freeze. It ends in April. Other than 2023-24 - when many councils raised rates by about 5% - this is the first time for almost 20 years when a big increase has really been possible. Finance Secretary Shona Robison has said a £15bn-plus funding package for local authorities in the 2025-26 budget should allow them to "minimise" any council tax increases. Local authorities warned before the Budget announcement that they were facing a funding gap of almost £400m. Financial concerns have been heightened by the UK government's plan to increase National Insurance contributions. Robison has pledged to cover 60% of the associated costs, but Scottish local authorities say they are still facing a £100m shortfall as a result of the UK tax hike. Council tax rates are based on house valuations from 1991, with increases often hitting many poorer households harder than better off ones. The SNP administration has been promising to reform the system since coming to power in 2007. Earlier this month, the Scottish government and council body Cosla announced a joint consultation on the issue. But with the parliamentary term scheduled to end in May 2026, there will be no change before then. Funding from the Scottish government makes up the bulk of council finances; 66% Scottish government grant 19% council tax 15% business rates Local authorities are responsible for providing education, social care, public transport and culture and leisure. Glasgow City Council, which is Scotland's biggest, spends about £830m on education and £570m on social provision. Are 10% council tax rises on the way in Scotland? Councils warned over scale of financial challenges
